Grumman C-2 Greyhound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_C-2_Greyhound

The Grumman C-2 Greyhound is a twin-engine, high-wing cargo aircraft, designed
to carry supplies, mail, and passengers to and from aircraft carriers of the
United States Navy. Its primary mission is carrier onboard delivery (COD). The
aircraft provides critical logistics support to carrier strike groups. The
aircraft is mainly used to transport high-priority cargo, mail, and passengers
between carriers and shore bases, and can also deliver cargo like jet engines
and special stores.

Prototype C-2s first flew in 1964, and production followed the next year. The
initial Greyhound aircraft were overhauled in 1973. In 1984, more C-2As were
ordered under designation Reprocured C-2A or C-2A(R). In 2010 all C-2A(R)
aircraft received updated propellers (from four to eight blades) and
navigational updates (glass cockpit). Starting in 2020, the US Navy will start
to replace the remaining 27 C-2As with 38 CMV-22Bs, expecting to fully replace
the C-2 fleet by 2026.

The C-2 Greyhound, a derivative of the E-2 Hawkeye, shares wings and power
plants with the E-2, but has a widened fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The
first of two prototypes flew in 1964. After successful testing, Grumman began
production of the aircraft in 1965. The C-2 replaced the piston-engined Grumman
C-1 Trader in the COD role. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled to extend
their operational life in 1973.

Powered by two Allison T56 turboprop engines, the C-2A can deliver up to 10,000
pounds (4,500 kg) of cargo or up to 28 passengers, and is normally configured
for a cargo/passenger mix. It can also carry litter patients in medical
evacuation missions. A cage system or transport stand restrains cargo during
carrier launch and landing accelerations to prevent weight redistribution which
might adversely affect in-flight stability. The large aft cargo ramp and door
and a powered winch allow straight-in rear cargo loading and unloading for fast
turnaround. The Greyhound's ability to airdrop supplies and personnel, fold its
wings, and generate power for engine starting and other uses provide an
operational versatility found in no other cargo aircraft. Some parts commonality
with the E-2 Hawkeye and the Grumman A-6 Intruder ease logistics support.

The C-2 has four vertical stabilizers, of which three are fitted with rudders. A
single vertical stabilizer large enough for adequate directional control would
have made the aircraft too tall to fit on an aircraft carrier hangar deck. The
four-stabilizer configuration has the advantage of placing the outboard rudder
surfaces directly in line with the propeller wash, providing effective yaw
control down to low airspeeds, such as during takeoff and landing. The
inner-left stabilizer lacks a rudder, and has been called the "executive tail",
as it has nothing to do compared to the other three. A single C-2 (2797) was
equipped with an air-to-air refueling probe but this was not installed in other
aircraft.

In 1984, the Navy ordered 39 new C-2A aircraft to replace older airframes.
Dubbed the Reprocured C-2A or C-2A(R) due to the similarity to the original, the
new aircraft has airframe improvements and better avionics. The older C-2As were
phased out in 1987, and the last of the new models was delivered in 1990.


Role
Carrier-capable transport / Carrier onboard delivery

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Grumman
Northrop Grumman

First flight
18 November 1964

Introduction
1966

Status
C-2A: Retired
C-2A(R): In service

Primary user
United States Navy

Produced
C-2A: 1965–1968
C-2A(R): 1985–1989

Number built
C-2A: 17
C-2A(R): 39

Unit cost

US$40.01 million in 2016


Developed from
Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

Upgrades

The 36 C-2A(R)s underwent a critical Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The
C-2A(R)'s lifespan was 10,000 hours, or 15,000 carrier landings; plans require
the C-2A to perform its mission supporting battle group operational readiness
through 2015. The lower landing limit was approaching for most airframes, and
the SLEP will increase their projected life to 15,000 hours or 36,000 landings.
Once complete, the SLEP will allow the 36 aircraft to operate until 2027. The
SLEP includes structural improvements to the center wing, an eight-bladed NP2000
propeller, navigational upgrades including the addition of GPS and the dual
CAINS II Navigation System, the addition of crash-survivable flight incident
recorders, and a Ground Proximity Warning System. The first upgraded C-2A(R)
left NAVAIR Depot North Island on 12 September 2005, after sitting on the ground
for three and a half years while the SLEP was developed and installed. All
aircraft will receive SLEP by 2015.

Operational history

Between November 1985 and February 1987, VR-24 (former Navy Transport Squadron)
and its seven reprocured C-2As demonstrated the aircraft's exceptional
operational readiness. The squadron delivered 2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of cargo,
2,000,000 pounds (910 t) of mail and 14,000 passengers in the European and
Mediterranean theaters. The C-2A(R) also served the carrier battle groups during
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War, as well as
Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan.

On 2 June 2011, the US Navy loaned two C-2A(R) Greyhounds from VRC-40 (USN BuNos
162143 & 162165) to the French Navy. The two aircraft were stationed at
Toulon-Hyères Airport, Hyères to assist in improving the flow of logistics and
supplies to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle operating in the
Mediterranean Sea off Libya in support of the NATO intervention in Libya. After
16 days, both aircraft returned to the US via Shannon Airport, Ireland on 18
June 2011.

Specifications (Reprocured C-2A)

General characteristics
Crew: 2 flight crew + 2 loadmasters
Capacity: 26 passengers / 12 litter patients / 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) payload
Length: 56 ft 10 in (17.32 m)
Wingspan: 80 ft 7 in (24.56 m)
Height: 15 ft 10.5 in (4.839 m)
Wing area: 700 sq ft (65 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 63A216; tip: NACA 63A414
Empty weight: 33,746 lb (15,307 kg)
Gross weight: 49,394 lb (22,405 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (27,216 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Allison T56-A-425 turboprop engines, 4,600 shp (3,400 kW) each
Propellers: 8-bladed UTC Aerospace Systems NP2000

Performance
Maximum speed: 343 kn (395 mph, 635 km/h) at 12,000 ft (3,658 m)
Cruise speed: 251 kn (289 mph, 465 km/h) at 28,700 ft (8,748 m)
Stall speed: 82 kn (94 mph, 152 km/h)
Range: 1,300 nmi (1,500 mi, 2,400 km) with 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) load, or 1,500
nmi (2,800 km; 1,700 mi) with light load
Ferry range: 2,000 nmi (2,300 mi, 3,700 km) with internal fuel package
Service ceiling: 33,500 ft (10,200 m)
Rate of climb: 3,700 ft/min (19 m/s) (at sea level)
Wing loading: 77.6 lb/sq ft (379 kg/m2)





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